Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Help for hospice
New campaign to kit out patient rooms
St Andrew’s Hospice has launched the latest element of its appeal to raise funds for its rebuilding project, the new Room by Room campaign.
It has compiled a shopping list of items needed for each of the 21 new single rooms and trio of three- bedded rooms being created at the hospice through its current major reconstruction and renovation.
Items range from £80 chairs for visitors via wash hand basins at £418 and storage for medical equipment and patient possessions at £1701, up to £12,532 for a soothing hydrotherapy bath.
Constructing each single en suite room will cost £55,000 while kitting it out will add a further £10,000. The three-bed rooms will have construction costs of £132,000 and a fit-out price of £30,000.
Room by Room forms part of the hospice’s £ 9 million capital appeal to completely reconfigure its 30- year- old building at Henderson Street, providing upgrades throughout, including garden access for all patients.
It was launched at the hospice site last week, attended by politicians and representatives of local businesses, who also saw work on display in the art exhibition currently taking place to boost the fundraising appeal.
Those attending heard about the latest project from appeal chairman Gilbert Cox, the former lord lieutenant of Lanarkshire, who is from Chapelhall, and saw a new promotional video on the theme of ‘Precious Moments’.
Capital appeal director Karen McFadyen said: “Room by Room gives people who wish to support the hospice’s modernisation an opportunity to raise money for a particular item on our shopping list.
“Alternatively they can get together with others and raise money for the construction of a room.
“This is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about creating a facility to enjoy precious moments with loved ones today, tomorrow and beyond.
“By breaking it down we hope our Room by Room campaign will inspire lots more people to get involved and we’re delighted with all the support the appeal has received from everyone so far.”
The capital appeal was launched a year ago and reached the £5m mark in May. Work at the hospice building has been taking place since February, with patients being decanted to Wester Moffat Hospital in Airdrie.
Hospice officials said: “Fresh, modern design with flexible heating and better lighting are key aspects.
“All rooms will have more natural light and patio doors, giving access to garden areas, and our central courtyard garden will also be improved.”
Chief executive Bruce High told the Advertiser at last year’s capital appeal launch that the new-look hospice will be “night and day” compared to the current building, saying: “The hospice provides excellent care but we don’t have the environment to match that. We look after far more patients now than in 1986 and in the past few years there have been significant changes in how care is delivered.”
For more details or to donate visit www. st- andrews- hospice. com/ fundraising/ capital-appeal/room-by-room.